Synonyms of legerdemain

legerdemain

noun

ˌle-jər-də-ˈmān 

1

as in magic

the art or skill of performing tricks or illusions for entertainment

the illusionist's show is an entertaining blend of legerdemain and over-the-top showmanship

Synonyms & Similar Words

• magic
• deception
• prestidigitation
• sleight of hand
• trickery
• conjuring
• hocus-pocus
• deceptiveness

2

as in deception

the use of clever underhanded actions to achieve an end

the reduction of the deficit is due in part to financial legerdemain that masks the true costs of running the government

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deception
• trickery
• subterfuge
• chicanery
• treachery
• jugglery
• deceptiveness
• skulduggery
• artfulness
• cunning
• gamesmanship
• secrecy
• stealth
• scheming
• deceit
• jiggery-pokery
• wile
• chicane
• hanky-panky
• artifice
• shrewdness
• deceitfulness
• deviousness
• slyness
• plotting
• duplicity
• guile
• hypocrisy
• slipperiness
• sneakiness
• shiftiness
• underhandedness
• dissimulation
• double-dealing
• dishonesty
• slickness
• craftiness
• quackery
• fakery
• insincerity
• humbuggery
• imposture
• crookedness
• wiliness
• oiliness
• design
• caginess
• shadiness
• dupery
• sharpness
• dirty tricks
• crookery
• dirty pool
• foxiness
• guilefulness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sincerity
• ingenuousness
• artlessness
• forthrightness
• guilelessness
• candor
• directness
• openness
• plainness
• candidness
• plainspokenness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of legerdemain

But through a combination of legal legerdemain and a lame-duck power grab in Sacramento, the Democratic maps went into place anyway. — Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 24 Apr. 2026

Unlike the overheated adjectives that preceded it, this bit of legerdemain is a proper noun. — Bruce Stockler, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2026

There is something more profound going on than constitutional legerdemain. — Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026

Between April 1 and 7, the fair gathered 60 brands at the Palexpo exhibition center that broke new records, showcased world premieres and offered an ever-growing array of technical and artistic legerdemain in their latest high-end timepieces. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2025

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